Most employees are paid through direct deposit, a money transfer, or an app. However, you may be paid by paper checks for some jobs or receive a check as a gift from family or friends. Checks can be cashed or deposited at the bank or credit union that holds your account. If you don't have a bank account, check cashing services are provided at grocery stores and other locations.
Key Takeaways
- The easiest way to cash a check is to take it to a bank where you have an account.
- Check-cashing services are found at Walmart and many grocery stores.
- Checks are commonly issued for personal gifts, payroll, or are government-issued.
Local Banks or Credit Unions
The simplest way to cash a check, whether personal, payroll, certified, cashier’s or government-issued, is through a bank or credit union where you already have an account. Check cashing can be completed in person at a local branch or deposited using your bank’s mobile app.
Banks aren’t obligated to cash checks for individuals who aren’t customers. And those that do may charge costly fees ranging from $3 to $10, or require you to enroll in check-cashing services. Many banks offer teen checking accounts specially designed for people under 18. These accounts often waive monthly fees and minimum balance requirements.
Some states allow minors to have bank accounts in their own name at the age of 15 at state-chartered banks.
The Issuing Bank
If you don’t have a bank account, you may be able to cash a personal or payroll check at the issuing bank. The bank name is found in the upper left-hand corner of the check.
Banks aren’t required to cash checks written by their customers to people who don’t have accounts there, but many do. You may be able to cash a check even if you’re under 18, but you’ll have to show proper ID and may be charged a fee.
Walmart
Walmart provides check cashing services for those over 18 or older with valid identification. Walmart cashes checks of up to $200 for two-party personal checks and up to $5,000 for preprinted checks, except from January through April of each year when it will cash preprinted checks of up to $7,500 during tax refund season.
You’ll pay a fee of $4 for checks up to $1,000 and $8 for checks over $1,000. For two-party personal checks, you’ll pay a fee of $6.You can get the money in cash or load it onto a Walmart MoneyCard from cashing:
- Payroll checks
- Government-issued checks
- Cashiers’ checks
- Insurance settlement checks
- Retirement distribution checks
- MoneyGram money orders
- Two-party personal checks (not available in New Jersey)
Grocery Stores
Grocery store chains like Publix and Kroger offer check-cashing services for a small fee, usually with no age limit. To cash a check at a grocery store, you must present a valid identification card, such as a state-issued ID, driver’s license, or passport.
You’ll also pay a small fee, which will vary by store. At Kroger, for checks up to $2,000, the store charges $4 for Shopper’s Card holders and $4.50 for those without a card. For checks larger than $2,000, it charges $7 if you have a Shopper’s Card and $7.50 if you don’t.
Employer
Depending on where you work, your employer may be able to cash your paycheck for you with certain limitations in place. Additionally, some may limit the value of the checks they will cash.
PayPal
If you have a PayPal account, you can cash your check using a photo. Much like the mobile apps offered by banks, the PayPal app allows you to take a photo of each side of your check and choose when you want to receive your money. You can access your money for free within 10 days or immediately for a $5 minimum fee.
While you can use this service to deposit your check into your PayPal account, you can’t get physical cash. You'll just be electronically transferring the money into your PayPal account and then need to spend it or transfer it to another bank account.
To open a PayPal account and use the check cashing service, you must be at least 18 years old.
Third Party
If you don’t have a bank account, run into age limits, and don’t have valid identification to cash your check, you can endorse it to someone such as a parent. This is called a third-party check. Your parent can deposit the check into the parental account, and then give you cash in exchange by following these steps:
- On the back of the check, you’ll print your name
- Under your name, the adult will print their name and relationship to you
- Then, the adult will write their account number, if depositing into their account
Some banks may refuse to accept endorsed third-party checks or require you to be physically present with the person cashing the check. Many check-cashing locations, such as grocery stores, will not accept third-party checks.
Check-Cashing Service
If you don’t have a bank account but have a government-issued ID, you might be able to cash your check at a nearby check-cashing service. These companies are often physical locations where you bring your check and walk out with cash.
You can generally cash a check at a check-cashing service even if you’re younger than 18 with identification. Like other check-cashing services, these companies require a flat-rate fee or fees that range between 1% and 10%, depending on the type of check.
What Do You Need to Cash a Check?
Banks and check cashing services commonly require the check, a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport, and money to pay check-cashing fees.
How Long Do You Have to Cash a Check?
Generally speaking, you’ll only have six months after a check is written to cash it. After six months, the check is considered stale, and a bank or credit union can choose not to honor it. After six months, you may need to go to the source to see if you can get a replacement check.
Can I Cash a Check Without an ID?
It will be difficult, if not impossible, to cash a check on your own without an ID. However, you can endorse the check to someone else to cash, such as at a parent’s or guardian’s bank.
The Bottom Line
Without a bank account, you may have difficulty cashing checks. Luckily, there are still some ways to get your money, including visiting the issuing bank or going to a local grocery store. Many check-cashing services have age restrictions, meaning those under 18 need a parent or guardian to accompany them.
